By Gina Smith
June 04, 2011

Lincoln County Homecoming 2011 was full of pomp and circumstance.

It was kicked off as the 47 students making up the Lincoln County High School graduating class of 2011 held their commencement exercises on Friday, a perfect start of a long, holiday weekend.

The senior class motto, ?Don?t dream your life, live your dreams,? holds true for many graduating students.

When asked what the class motto means to her, graduate Jennifer Ahlstrom said, ?It gave me confidence and made me realize that I can do whatever I put my mind to, and I shouldn?t just sit back and settle with what I had.? She said her greatest accomplishment for the year was to pass the proficiencies.

Fellow graduate Jacob LeBaron said the motto means ?that you get up and try, and if you fail you know to try something else.? His dedication to graduating has been demonstrated by his ability to set a schedule and stick to it, do homework diligently, and not give up on goals.

Athletic director and math teacher Rick Phillips, very fondly known simply as ?coach? to many faculty and students, addressed the students and audience for the last time. After 32 years at the high school, ?coach? is retiring this year.

In a very moving and passionate speech, he laid out guidelines for his secret to success at LCHS. The points including the importance of family and friends, attitude being 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it, getting involved, hard work, having fun and thinking of others first. He said if you find something you love to do, you will never work a day of your life. His heartfelt speech produced a standing ovation.

Saturday started off with the Homecoming Parade in Caliente. This year’s grand marshals were June Taylor and Carolyn Wilcox in the first car and Patty Brown-Bleak and Dennis Brown in the second. The latter are brother and sister to Larry Brown who was killed in Vietnam, the only Lincoln County resident killed in that war.

The parade grand prize went to the Sunshine Creation float by Trudy Faulkner. First prize went to Meadow Valley Pharmacy. Michael Lundgren won the first youth prize, while Jess Mackert and Sammy Lundgren took second.

This year?s parade organizer, Tracy Weideman, said the parade was a huge success. ?I would like to give a special thank you to Chuck Adams from Pioche for the use of his cars for the grand marshals as well as all who participated and donated for the parade. We look forward for next year!?

Activities this year included lawnmower races, a softball tournament, and a Saturday barbeque, with plenty of perfect opportunities for friends and family to eat, have fun, and catch up with one another.

Memory flags were also placed at the cemetery to memorialize ones who sacrificed for our freedoms.